Barbiturates Drug Facts

Barbiturates were first introduced for medical use in the early 1900s. More than 2,500 barbiturates have been synthesized, and at the height of their popularity, about 50 were marketed for human use. Today, about a dozen kinds of barbituates are in medical use. Barbiturates produce a wide spectrum of central nervous system depression, from mild sedation to coma, and have been used as sedatives, hypnotics, anesthetics, and anticonvulsants. The primary differences among many of these products are how fast they produce an effect and how long those effects last. Barbiturates are classified as ultrashort, short, intermediate, and long-acting. Long-acting barbiturates include phenobarbital (Luminal®) and mephobarbital (Mebaral®), both of which are Schedule IV restricted drugs. Effects of barbiturate drugs are realized in about one hour and last for about 12 hours.Barbiturates are used primarily for daytime sedation and the treatment of seizure disorders.